P

INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUE

ercury porosimetry characterizes a materials porosity by applying various levels of

pressure to a sample immersed in mercury. The pressure required to intrude mercury into the
samples pores is inversely proportional to the size of the pores.
To perform an analysis, the sample is loaded into a penetrometer, which consists of a sample
cup connected to a metal-clad, precision-bore, glass capillary stem. The penetrometer is sealed
and placed in a low pressure port, where the sample is evacuated to remove air and moisture
the user controls the speed of the evacuation, and theres no need for a separate preparation unit.
The penetrometers cup and capillary stem are then automatically backfilled with mercury.
Excess mercury is automatically drained back into the internal reservoir; only a small amount
remains in the penetrometer.

SAMPLE

SAMPLE

SAMPLE

Pressure 1

Pressure 2

As pressure on the filled penetrometer increases, mercury

intrudes into the samples pores, beginning with those
pores of largest diameter. This requires that mercury
move from the capillary stem into the cup, resulting in a
decreased capacitance between the now-shorter mercury
column inside the stem and the metal cladding on the
outer surface of the stem.

The instrument automatically collects low pressure

measurements over the range of pressures specified by the
operator. Then, the penetrometer is moved to the high pressure chamber, where high pressure
measurements are taken. Data are automatically reduced using the low and high pressure data
points, along with values entered by the operator, such as the weight of the sample and the weight
of the penetrometer loaded with mercury.

Pressure 3

THE RIGHT PRESSURE POINTS

Micromeritics mercury porosimeters give you complete control in determining the pressure
points at which readings are taken. You can specify exact pressure points, to maximize readings
taken where intrusion occurs, or you can use linear pressure ramping within a range you choose.
You can even combine the two methods for a pressure routine customized for your sample.
No matter what pressure routine you choose, Micromeritics AutoPore series porosimeters can
automatically collect additional data points when a significant intrusion is detected. What volume
reflects a significant intrusion? You control that decision.

PROVEN SCIENCE
Mercury porosimetry is based on the capillary law governing liquid penetration into small pores.
This law, in the case of a non-wetting liquid like mercury, is expressed by the Washburn equation:

()

l
D = _P 4 cos

where D is pore diameter, P is the applied pressure, the surface tension of mercury, and the
contact angle between the mercury and the sample, all in consistent units. The volume of mercury
V penetrating the pores is measured directly as a function of applied pressure. This P-V
information serves as a unique characterization of pore structure.
The Washburn equation assumes that all pores are cylindrical. Although pores are rarely
cylindrical in reality, this equation provides a practical representation of pore distributions,
yielding very useful results for most applications.

And, Micromeritics
mercury porosimeters
provide comprehensive data
for a wide spectrum of
applications.

Pore diameters may be offset toward larger values on

extrusion curves because receding contact angles are
smaller than advancing contact angles. This results in
equivalent volumes of mercury extruding at lower
pressures than those at which the pores were intruded.
Also, pore irregularities, such as enlarged chambers and
ink-well structures sometimes trap mercury.

1.1
1.0

CUMULATIVE INTRUSION, (mL/g)

Mercury porosimetry can

determine a broader pore
size distribution with greater
speed and accuracy than
other methods.

If decreasing pressures are included in the analysis, extrusion data are also calculated using the
Washburn equation. Extrusion P-V curves usually differ from intrusion curves because of
mercury entrapment and because there is no driving force to bring the mercury out of the pores
during the extrusion phase of the analysis. Differences
between intrusion curves and extrusion curves can be
used to characterize channel restrictions and the
structure or shape of pores.

TOTAL INTRUSION
VOLUME

Micromeritics
mercury porosimeters
determine pore size
distributions with
outstanding volume
resolution: better than
0.1 microliter.

As pressure increases during an analysis, pore size is calculated for each pressure point, and the
corresponding volume of mercury required to fill these pores is measured. These measurements
taken over a range of pressures give the pore volume versus pore size distribution for the sample
material.

0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0

PRESSURE
GENERATOR

WIDE APPLICABILITY
Micromeritics mercury porosimeters can accurately analyze samples in many forms, from powders
and granules to sections and chunks. Because mercury is non-wetting and non-reactive to most
materials, it can be used to analyze a vast range of samples, including reservoir rocks, refractory
materials, resins, pigments, carbons, catalysts, textiles, leather, adsorbents, pharmaceuticals,
membranes, filters, ceramics, papers, fuel cell components, and other porous materials.

FLEXIBLE REPORTING
All Micromeritics mercury porosimeters provide comprehensive reporting capability, including
graphs, tabular reports, and summaries. You can easily customize any report to accommodate your
specific needs. For added flexibility, reports can be generated to screen, printer or file.

THOROUGH SAFEGUARDING
Micromeritics mercury porosimeters feature multiple levels of safety systems for controlling
pressure and mercury. Both the software and the instrument components guard against the
generation of excessive pressure. Reservoirs and traps are designed to simplify mercury handling
and ensure its safe containment.

100

10

0.1

0.01

DIAMETER, (micrometers)

PRESSURE, psia

PRESSURE CHAMBER

COMPREHENSIVE RESULTS
Mercury Porosimetry can determine a broader pore size distribution more quickly and accurately
than other methods. Comprehensive data provide extensive characterization of sample porosity
and density. Available results include:
Total pore volume
Incremental volume
Differential volume
Log-differential volume
% of total volume
Total pore surface area
Incremental area
Median or mean pore diameter
Pore size distributions
Sample densities (bulk and skeletal)
% porosity

OUTSTANDING ACCURACY AND RESOLUTION

The quality of a porosimeters volume resolution depends upon its ability to accurately detect
minute changes in capacitance, not on sheer numbers of readings. Micromeritics instruments
achieve extraordinary resolution because they can detect very slight changes in capacitance
(typically a difference resulting from the movement of less than 0. l microliter of mercury).
To achieve precise pressure readings and to supply you with the most accurate data possible,
Micromeritics mercury porosimeters combine an advanced pressure transducer with high-accuracy
analog-to-digital converters and special equilibrated measurement routines for data collection.
Two modes of operation let you develop a methodology that balances your requirements for
speed and precise detail.
Use equilibration mode for direct, detail-rich, accurate measurement. Data gathered
during an equilibrated analysis provide an in-depth examination of the samples
porosity and enable you to characterize pore shape and structure.
For even faster analyses (with reduced precision), use scanning mode, which
approximates equilibrium by increasing pressure continuously. Scanning mode enables
quality control labs to rapidly check samples for conformity with production
specifications.
Computer-based calibration facilitates compliance with strict quality-control guidelines and
ISO-900 l procedures.

MICROMERITICS. SETTING THE PACE WORLDWIDE

Micromeritics has more than a quarter-century of experience in providing
innovative products to the particle technology marketplace. Instrumentation
developed by Micromeritics has been the recipient of awards for design
excellence on numerous occasions. Our instruments have been chosen as the
preferred equipment by many multi-national corporations. As a result
of this, Micromeritics is pleased to provide products and product support
to customers around the globe. The driving force of our Company is to
develop and support high-quality, high-performance instrumentation of
superb accuracy and utility, never losing sight of the primary
importance of satisfying the needs of our customers.
Micromeritics maintains a high level of interest in the needs of the
many industries it serves and aggressively responds to these needs. It is this
response that firmly establishes Micromeritics as a world leader in
supplying particle technology instruments.
INNOVATION IN MERCURY POROSIMETRY
Micromeritics mercury porosimeters continue this tradition of market
responsiveness and leadership. We developed this technology to provide fast,
reliable analyses in less time. Micromeritics commitment to automated
instrumentation means lower labor costs and fewer operator errors.
Our instruments compact size and innovative design provide flexibility
and features that will prove their value to you time and time again.
Micromeritics has over 50 sales, service, and distribution offices throughout the world.

One Micromeritics Drive, Norcross, GA 30093-1877, U.S.A.

Domestic Sales (770) 662-3633, International Sales (770) 662-3660
Customer Orders (770) 662-3636, Fax: (770) 662-3696
Internet Web Site: http://www.micromeritics.com

01/01/01